Arts

The GFWC Arts Community Service Program encourages members to promote and support arts activities in their clubs, schools, and communities. It is designed to inspire clubwomen and ignite within them a desire to make their world a more beautiful place.

 

· GWC projects include:

· Competition in local, district and state arts/crafts shows.

· Craft workshops for members.

· Donations of art and craft supplies to schools.

· Student art exhibits.

· Tours of local museums.

Conservation

The club focuses on improving the environment for healthier living and preserving our community resources.

· Care for the club’s butterfly garden.

· Plant new trees. 

· Partner with Gainesville Regional Utilities to ensure safety and energy initiatives. 

· Participate in the city and county recycling program. 

· Work with Keep Alachua County Beautiful and the Humane Society.

· Participating in the Adopt-A-Highway Program.

· Maintain  the clubhouse grounds.

Education

The GFWC Education Community Service Program seeks to promote a commitment to lifelong learning and to support educational and literacy opportunities in our community. 

 

GWC projects include:

· Book Review and Discussion Group.

· Partner with Girl's Place to raise scholarships.

· Provide library books for Caring and Sharing Learning School.

· Support for public libraries.

· Support for Star Center Theatre to the Arts.

Home Life

The GFWC Home Life Community Service program promotes a healthy lifestyle; increase awareness, personal development; and prevention or correction of financial difficulties focusing on the personal development for women, children and the homeless.

 

· Collect clothing for women in need. 

· Collect food items for local food bank.

· Collect personal care items for nursing home residents.

· Provide workshops for women on topics of aging, financial independence and health issues. 

International Outreach

GFWC International Outreach Community Service Programs enable members to become better citizens through advocacy, education, and action. International programs are particularly important to a university community as there are so many international connections and foreign students.

 

GWC addresses these needs by:

· Host Gainesville’s United Nations Day program.

· Raise general awareness about new evolving international needs.

· International Hospitality

· Provide monetary contributions for International project.

Public Issues

The GFWC Public Issues Community Service program works to increase members’ patriotism, pride in heritage, and networking with other organizations to be proactive in dealing with community issues.

 

GWC addresses these needs by:

· Co-sponsor Alachua County Legislative Day.

· Donate items and provide program support for veterans 

· Collect clothes, toys and food for residents at Peaceful Paths, a domestic abuse shelter.

· Holiday cards sent to our military men and women.

· Forums for local, regional and national issues.

· Workshops to help citizens become aware of crime issues, identity theft and safety.

· Contributions for Operation Smile.

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Signature Project

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In the 2011-2012 Administration, the club started a Signature Project to facilitate the club’s commitment to the community through projects started and implemented by the Gainesville Woman’s Club. The goal of the Signature Project, "Partnerships for Education and a Better Community," is to involve all club departments and members along with local businesses in supporting local public schools. After identifying the most pressing needs of Alachua County elementary schools, through the Signature Project these needs are to be addressed by providing supplies, books, nutritional needs, playground equipment, landscaping and others from the school’s wish list. Another goal is to increase the community awareness through educational programs. The Signature Project is to be ongoing by providing goods-in-kind, financial commitments, and time resources.

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The initial Signature Project was completed at Idyllwild Elementary School. In 2010-2011, Idyllwild Elementary had 80% of their students on a free or reduced cost lunch program, thus pointing to the underlying student needs. The project extends across all dimensions of the club and involves all members as they strive to help fill teachers’ wish lists as well as improve their campus.  During the GFWC Florida Spring Convention of 2013, the club won a 1st Place Award for their Signature Project Programs.

 

    

To address the changing needs of the children in the Gainesville community the Signature Project for 2016-2018 was a partnership with the Gainesville Parks and Cultural Affairs Department and the Gainesville Arts and Parks Foundation.  For this project the Woman’s Club worked to raise funds for the renovation of the NE 31st Avenue Park.  This neighborhood park had fallen in disrepair.  Through this partnership; the Gainesville Parks and Cultural Affairs Department and Arts and Parks Foundation worked with the local community to determine what they wanted to see in this neighborhood park.  During this two-year period the Woman’s Club raised $10,000 which was donated in May 2018 to assist with the renovation of this park. 

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Other Community programs

These are scheduled activities held in the clubhouse and open to the membership and guests.

 

Creative Cooking: Members share creative cooking ideas and sample their gourmet dishes during monthly luncheons.  Recipes and cooking tips are provided. Lunch is at 11:00 a.m. on the 4th Tuesday of each month unless notified otherwise.  There is a theme for each month and if attending you are asked to bring a dish to complement the theme.

 

Game Day: Members gather regularly to enjoy each other’s company while playing Maj Jong and bunko. 

 

Sewing/Knitting Projects: Members are encouraged to sew and/or knit for babies, children, veterans in need.  You can meet with other members at the club during scheduled times or sew/knit at home and bring your items to the club.

 

Spring Promenade: Each spring the City of Gainesville under the direction of the Thomas Center offers a tour of Historic homes and is open to the public. As part of the city’s supporting organizations, GWC provides hostesses to the homes on tour.  Members are asked to volunteer to host for two-hour periods.

knit at home and bring your items to the club.